Just got back from putting the dog "to sleep." :(

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[b]Lady Nyx wrote: [/b]

i HATE it when dad makes jokes about Simi being old or dying. even moreso when people say "animals done have souls" or "its just a pet". all i have to say to those people, is to kindly fuck off until they find some compassion. or a soul.

sorry, im going on a tangent. but as i said, its never easy, and youre never prepared for it. its devestating, but you at least know there are people here who have felt your pain. best wishes to you.
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Many of people who show little compassion and love towards animals are the reason why animal people like us are so disgusted with the lack of soul of some of those so called "humans". That's why we have to turn to animals, because regardless of what we look like, what we wear, or how much money we have, all we have to do is give them affection, and they will give you affection back in return.

I can completely relate, guys.  We had to put my 14 year old German shepherd, Emma, to sleep a few years ago.  It took forever for me to accept it was time to put her down.  She had completely lost the use of her back legs, and I had to help her outside to go to the bathroom towards the end.  I felt guilty that maybe I waited too long to do it, but I just couldn't let her go.  I couldn't even go to the vet when it was it time.  Pieter and my sister took her.  I would have been too much of a wreck.  I'll be honest..  l still sometimes break down about losing her, but she lived a long full life and was very much loved, so that makes it easier.

I'm very fortunate that this is one life experience that has passed me by.  I've had pets die, but never in such a way that the decision and timing was left to me.

Poor Fritz.. And poor beautifulsoup. :(

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[b]Mr.Jingles wrote: [/b]

[b]I sure feel your pain, and coincidentally we both lost our pets the same day due to a stroke.[/b]

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Oh, nooooo.  I'm so sorry.  [img=/images/smiley/msn/cry_smile.gif][/img]

Done it ten times...........never easy..........in fact, it rather suxxx

Will have to do it again in 5-8 years, and yet, .......will get another dog and go through it one more time after that......because they are worth it.

Chin up, my friend

I'm so sorry.  It's not an easy thing to do.  To quote a friend, "you gave a small soul a good life."    Your dog couldn't have had a better home or a better friend.  :)

Sorry to hear about your loss.

:/

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[b]*goodco* wrote: [/b]

Done it ten times...........never easy..........in fact, it rather suxxx

Will have to do it again in 5-8 years, and yet, .......will get another dog and go through it one more time after that......[b]because they are worth it[/b].

Chin up, my friend[/QUOTE]
[b]+1[/b]

A lot of people ask me, why do you want to get another dog if at some point you will go through the pain of seeing them go?

The simple answer is that those weeks/months of grieving can't compare to the many years of happiness brought by the companionship of a dog.

I really do want to get another dog.

But there are too many reasons why I can't right now....

..and none of them have to do with the grieving process or feeling like betraying the memory of other dogs..

Mr. J, thanks for quoting me.

beautifulsoup.......the 'right' time will come.  It may be two months, or it might be two years.  Once again, it will all depend on what is the 'right' or 'fitting' time. 

My first dog was run over two months after we got Spot.  I don't remember events from two weeks ago, but, at age 5, decades later, I can tell you that it was at 1120 AM on a beautiful August morning.  I still remember the wonderful couple in the car, and how utterly mournful they were.

Months later, my dad brought home a little rat terrier.  We had her for 15 years.  My college roommates loved the hell out of that little girl.  When I was told of her death, it was the only time I ever saw my old man cry.  It took me three years to get another dog.

I was on many a Queen mailing list, and used a ' joe, the wife, and the faithful Freddie' as the ending of my sign-off.  The most unique and wonderful character of a cocker spaniel one could ask for.  Not the best, not the most intelligent, but what a personality.  He was in parades, on stage, took him to senior citizen homes, to work, etc etc etc.

After 15 years, his time had come.  No way we could, or will, replace him.  I received condolences from friends who knew us, but never met 'him'.  Even got a letter from Jacky Smith, who said she cried at the news. (she has a lovely black lab named 'Merlin').

Six months later, we get a picture of a shelter dog, almost the same color as 'My Boy', 5 years old, and we're thinking 'it's too soon.'  Well, our Denny ain't Freddie, but he's our boy, and in many ways smarter.  We came into each other's lives at the right time. 

We are thankful.

And so is Denny.

Your pain will last you as long as you live.  So will the joy.  You will think of Fritz one, two, twenty years from now.  Smile and remember what a good mate you had.  He is jumping over the rainbow bridge, appreciative of what a fine companion YOU were.  And looking forward to meeting up with you again.

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[b]*goodco* wrote: [/b]



Mr. J, thanks for quoting me.

beautifulsoup.......the 'right' time will come.  It may be two months, or it might be two years.  Once again, it will all depend on what is the 'right' or 'fitting' time. 


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Actually, I'm ready.  Really.  I was actually looking at dachshund rescue sites within hours.   

Basically, it comes down to we'll have to move first.  There is so much...how shall I put it...ahem......"territorialization evidence"  left over  from two old dogs who occasionally lost their cognitive powers as to where that was supposed to happen... (part of cognitive  dysfunction in aging).  Years worth, between the two of them.

So, move, or shampoo the heck out of the carpets and then lay down area rugs over all that, and get the kitchen floor replaced...etc.  We live in an apartment - and they could go ahead and replace carpet, but they already said it would involve hour having to remove the walls of bookshelves that we have to do so.    

Also - our place is soooo cluttered.  I'm a pack rat, and seriously need to sell/give away some stuff...  hundreds of books CDs, etc.  The apartment management also did away with everyone's storage units years ago, so all that stuff got put into the apartment; about 15 boxes worth.

We would NEVER pass the home visit phase of an animal shelter's adoption program, nor the Dachshund rescue programs that I've been looking into.  

Even if we went to a pet store, or went the local breeder route or newspapers, I don't feel like I could bring a new dog into our current living situation.

Then, there's the $ issue. 

Hubby really needs to get a job....     

Whine, whine, whine, I know....

Herriot said it best ; get another one straight away!
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[/QUOTE]It always sounds like callous advice to me when we've just lost a pet (especially when our last cat went missing) but it works every time.  We found that the depression over the old cat got bumped because we had a really small one that needed looking after.[/QUOTE]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss beautifulsoup. I know that losing a pet is like losing one of your family, someone who shows you inconditional love.